Castel Gandolfo: History of the Summer Residence of the Pope - SPIEGEL ONLINE Castel Gandolfo: History of the Summer Residence of the Pope Castel Gandolfo The Colorful History of the Pope's Summer Home Pope Benedict has withdrawn to Castel Gandolfo while his successor is chosen. But few know that the papal summer residence of almost 400 years has a curious history, serving as a hideout for Jews, delivery ward and target for paparazzi. Comment In the late evening of Aug. 6, 1978, a heavy iron chain was pulled across the door of the papal summer palace. All the lights in the area were turned off, and the flag was set at half-mast. The fountain on the village square in front of the palace ran dry, and the bells of the nearby church began to ring. These symbolic signs marked the end of Pope Paul VI's term in office. He had died at his summer residence at 9:40 p.m., a few hours after having a massive heart attack.

Just like his predecessors, Pope Paul had withdrawn from the Vatican when the hot summer months began, heading to Castel Gandolfo to enjoy the cool climate and relax during long strolls through the gardens at the almost 400-year-old papal palace. At 8 p.m. on Feb. 28, 2013, the third papacy in the history of the Catholic Church will come to an end at this history-rich location in the Alban Hills, where Pope Benedict XVI will go while a conclave is held to choose his successor. It's a striking place, and not just because of its long history. It was here that Emperor Domitian (AD 81-96) once ordered the bloody persecution of early Christians. Roman emperors had come to appreciate the climate it offered at 426 meters (1,400 feet) above sea level, and Domitian had a palace erected here. Around 1200, the Gandolfi family from Genoa, which Castel Gandolfi would later be named after, built a villa here. Since 1596, the main part of what is now the papal summer residence has been owned by the Vatican.

Italian Occupiers Urban VIII (1623-1649) had the massive summer palace built and was the first pope to vacation here. German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the town in 1787, while on his famous Italian journey, and gushingly praised its idyllic location on the deep-blue Lake Albano. The popes held it in equal esteem, and almost all of them would make annual pilgrimages to the site. This tradition came to a sudden end in 1870, when Italian soldiers took control of the Papal State and then-Pope Pius IX declared himself a "prisoner in the Vatican" in protest. Legend holds that the pope lived out the last eight years of his life without setting foot outside Rome's Apostolic Palace, the residence of modern-day popes. The same fate awaited his successors, leaving Castel Gandolfo to fall into a type of hibernation for several decades. This all ended in 1929, when the Lateran Treaty, signed with what was then the Kingdom of Italy, guaranteed the Holy See its summer residence in perpetuity.

Castel Gandolfo was designated part of the territory of the Vatican City State and would enjoy extraterritorial status from then on. Secret Refuge for Jews In 1934, Pius XI became the first 20th-century pope to visit the palace. He had the old masonry repaired and outfitted the residence with radios, telephones, heating, electric lights and an elevator. A year later, he celebrated the establishment of a new telescope for the Vatican Observatory on the palace's roof. The astronomers of the Papal See migrated from the Vatican Gardens to Castel Gandolfo because all the electric lights in the Eternal City had made things too bright. Along with them came the Vatican's meteorite collection, one of the most significant collections of cosmic rocks in the world. Pius XI also had greenhouses and cattle barns set up so that the Vatican could provide itself with food -- a far-sighted decision. In May 1938, when Hitler made an official state visit to Rome to meet with Mussolini and the entire city was decked with Nazi flags, Pius XI and Cardinal Secretary of State Pacelli, the later Pope Pius XII, demonstrably withdrew to Castel Gandolfo.

The pope was intent on avoiding having to meet with the German dictator, whom he had sharply criticized -- without naming Hitler directly -- as a "prophet of delusion" a year earlier in his "Mit brennender Sorge" ("With burning concern") encyclical. Pius XI remained at Castel Gandolfo for six months before returning to Rome in late October 1938, where he died shortly thereafter. In August 1939, the new pope, Pius XII, made a global appeal to the world from Castel Gandolfo: "Nothing is lost with peace, everything may be lost in a war." But his warnings were ignored and, within a few years, both war and Nazi terror would also reach Rome and its surroundings. In 1943, German soldiers would occupy the Eternal City and began deporting Roman Jews. Pius XII initially didn't react to the persecution of Jews taking place outside his windows. Later, he would order churches, cloisters and other Vatican properties -- including Castel Gandolfo -- to be used to shelter for those being targeted. Several hundred Jews were supposedly kept hidden and provided with kosher food at the summer residence.

Gaining more precise information about this matter is difficult because the related Vatican files are still sealed. What is certain, however, is that in October 1943, the Vatican dispatched a contingent of papal Palatine Guards to stand guard at Castel Gandolfo. This unit was then gradually strengthened by volunteers until the Vatican exclave was protected by thousands. Papal Bedroom as Birthing Chamber In the spring of 1944, thousands of people from nearby took advantage of the special legal status of Castel Gandolfo to seek refuge from Allied bombing raids. The territory of the neutral Vatican was considered inviolable and safe from attack. Even so, on the morning of February 10, a bomb dropped from a plane fell on the summer residence right when a crowd of people was gathering for the distribution of the daily milk ration. Over the following days, more than 500 corpses were dug out from beneath the wreckage. At roughly the same time, the papal chambers had come to resemble a maternity ward. Pregnant refugees had sought safety there, and the screams of newborn babies were heard in the papal bedroom.

The Vatican says that some 40 children were born at Castel Gandolfo during this period. In thanks, many mothers even named their children after Pius XII, christening them Pio, the Italian version of Pius, or Eugenio, the pope's given first name. Pius XII himself didn't return to Castel Gandolfo until 1946, and his last visit was on July 24, 1958. By that point, he only had two months to live. In early October, he suffered two strokes in the papal summer residence, which left him in agony for several days. For the first time, the eyes of the world were directed not on Rome, but on Castel Gandolfo, some 25 kilometers away. 'I Want the Dead Pope Live!' The TV crews arrived, Vatican Radio set up a makeshift radio studio in the summer palace, and newspapers dispatched special correspondents, who were forced to sit outside its doors around the clock. In the competition to be the first to report the pope's death, there were a number of premature announcements.

The news coordinator in Brussels of Eurovision, the pan-European television network that was launched in 1950 to share content (and that organizes the annual song contest), reportedly exhorted his counterparts at Rai, the Italian public broadcaster, to stay vigilant with the words "I want the dead pope live!" He finally died early on the morning of Oct. 9, 1958. John Paul II precipitated a media event of a completely different sort, as the first pope to use the papal summer residence for athletic activities. He played tennis, kicked around a ball with the sons of the gardeners and swam laps in a pool specially built for him. To those who criticized the pool's construction, he countered that electing a new pope would be even more expensive. Paparazzi took advantage of the opportunity and snapped photographs of the pope in his swimming trunks. In the mid-1980s, the Polish pope once again made his summer residence a topic of conversation by inviting prominent philosophers and theologians for visits. During the so-called Castel Gandolfo Talks, held in the Swiss Hall, the pope would sit in his armchair in the corner listening in silence.

If he was interested in or disagreed with something in one of the lectures, he would invite the person who delivered it to eat lunch with him in his dining room. A Place for Decisions Benedict XVI, the professor pope, continued this tradition of inviting prominent figures to the summer residence. In addition to former Ph.D. students and classmates, he would host others at Castel Gandolfo, including church critic Hans Küng, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Bernand Fellay, the superior general of the ultraconservative Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), and the ambassadors of several Muslim countries. The latter were quickly summoned to Gandolfo in September 2006 to smooth things over after he had sparked an uproar with an address he delivered in the German city of Regensburg that leading figures in Islam criticized as "hate speech." The elderly pope is now withdrawing to Castel Gandolfo while his successor is being chosen in Rome. But there he will also be confronted with the dark sides of his papacy. This residence in the Alban Hills might have also been the place where he reached his decision to step down.

It was here that he withdrew to in early April 2012, after an exhausting trip to Mexico and Cuba and the energy-sapping Easter celebrations. Less than a year later, he is returning here from Rome as a pope emeritus. Once his successor is installed, he will return to the Vatican and reside in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery. This article originally appeared in German on einestages.de , SPIEGEL ONLINE's history portal. Article... The 10 Best Vatican City Tours, Trips & Tickets - Rome | Viator Rome ATTRACTIONS See all Vatican City Vatican City is a separate sovereign state within Rome, created in 1929 and run by the Pope (who is the supreme monarch!). The official population is a little over 800 and it covers an area of 110 acres (44 hectares). Within the walls of the city are St Peter's Basilica, St Peter's Square, the Vatican Museums, the residence of the Pope and offices of the Catholic Church. Being a separate state, the Vatican has its own postage stamps, and the official language is Latin (as well as Italian). It has its own bank and the world's only ATM with instructions in Latin!

Although it uses the euro, the Vatican does issue its own coins. The economy revolves around tourism, printing, mosaics and manufacturing uniforms (who knew!). There are two forces for law and order; one is the Gendarmerie, who keep order, the other is the Swiss Guard (notable for their crazy yellow, blue and red uniforms) the Pope's personal bodyguard since 1506. All 134 members are indeed from Switzerland. Practical Info Vatican City is easy to reach. Take metro line A to stop Ottaviano-S.Pietro-Musei Vaticano or Cipro. Tramway 19 to Piazza del Risorgimento, or various buses. You can also walk from the centre of Rome across Ponte Sant'Angelo and up towards the Piazza San Pietro for the most breathtaking approach.

Tours & Tickets Pope Francis 'abandoned' Castel Gandolfo palace because it's 'too luxurious' | Daily Mail Online One place in the world where Pope Francis isn't so popular: Locals living beside stunning lakeside papal summer palace claim he's 'abandoned' it for being 'too luxurious' Castel Gandolfo, just 12 miles from Rome, has been the summer residence of the Pope for generations And every time a Pope arrives, hundreds of pilgrims follow in his wake - bringing business to the town But current Pope Francis has never spent more than a day, and never a night, at the luxurious property The locals who rely on the papal visits for work tell MailOnline they feel Francis has 'abandoned' them Castel Gandolfo, Near Rome, Prepares to Welcome Pope - The New York Times The New York Times Europe |Hilltop Town, a Host to Popes for Centuries, Prepares for an Eminent Retiree Search Continue reading the main story Photo The entrance of the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo's Freedom Square. Benedict XVI will spend two months in the town before moving to a convent inside the Vatican.

Credit Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — This cramped hilltop town outside Rome is in its final preparations for the arrival on Thursday afternoon of an honored guest: Pope Benedict XVI , who will commence his new life as pope emeritus, one of the titles by which he will be known. Town officials have been gearing up for a rousing — as far as ecclesiastical events go — welcome, with ringing bells, processional torches and the distribution of religious images with the pope’s countenance on one side and a prayer on the back. “We want to express affection and solidarity for a choice that left us perplexed and stunned,” said the Rev. Pietro Diletti, the parish priest of the church of San Tommaso di Villanova, where the pope celebrates Mass each Aug. 15, the feast day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The pope will spend some two months here as he waits for the restoration of more permanent lodgings in a convent inside the Vatican where he will live out his life, “hidden to the world,” as he said this month.

And as the College of Cardinals begins to congregate next week ahead of a March conclave to choose Benedict’s successor, the pope’s off-season stint in Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles southeast of Vatican City, is an added assurance that he won’t exert any undue influence in the selection. For nearly 400 years, the town of Castel Gandolfo has played host to a succession of pontiffs seeking solace from the stifling Roman summer. Photo A landscaped garden nestled amid the pontifical villas, an area that totals about 135 acres. Credit Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times The papacy first laid claim to Castel Gandolfo — originally a small fortress belonging to the Savelli family — in 1596, but it was 30 years later that it officially became the papal summer residence, when Pope Urban VIII built a new wing on the side of the fortress that overlooks Lake Albano. Some years later, the renowned Baroque architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini developed a second wing, under Pope Alexander VII, and over the years new lots of land with their villas were acquired and elaborate gardens were developed.

The pontifical villas of Castel Gandolfo cover a triangle-shaped swath of the town, totaling about 135 acres. A working farm provides produce — fruits and vegetables, oil, eggs and dairy products — to the pope’s kitchens, both here and in Vatican City. Though the villas are under pontifical jurisdiction and high walls and secure gates bar entry to outsiders, there is considerable interaction with the town. Advertisement Continue reading the main story “Formally we are two states, but in fact it’s all one community,” said the mayor, Milvia Monachesi, noting that a number of its 9,000 residents work for the papal villas. The pope’s current butler is from Castel Gandolfo. He replaced Paolo Gabriele, the manservant convicted of leaking confidential Vatican documents, an episode that weighed heavily on the final year of Benedict’s pontificate. Sentenced to 18 months in prison in October, Mr. Gabriele was later pardoned by the pope. Townspeople of a certain age still recall the protection given by Pope Pius XII after Allied troops landed in Anzio in 1944 and the area became an open war zone.

Some 12,000 people found refuge in the pontifical villas. “Around here there are many people named Pio or Pia, Eugenio or Eugenia,” in honor of Eugenio Pacelli, who became Pius XII, said Pier Paolo Turoli, an administrator of the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo. Like other towns in the Alban hills, Castel Gandolfo is a popular weekend destination for Romans escaping the capital’s chaos. “But when the pope is here, it becomes the center of the world,” Ms. Monachesi said, with a surge in pilgrims, tourists and the occasional head of state. “We’re small, but we’re also very international.” Photo The door to the Papal Palace. Credit Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times It was natural, residents say, for Benedict to want to return to “a place that he loved,” the mayor said. A plaque outside city hall quotes the pope’s own 2011 endorsement: “... Here I find everything. Mountains, a lake, and I can even see the sea ...

And good people.” The pope will arrive here by helicopter on Thursday afternoon, and will address the members of the diocese of Albano from the apostolic palace in the square in the final hours of his pontificate, which will end precisely at 8 p.m. “Symbolically, at that time we will see the gates of the palace close, and the Swiss Guards will make their departure,” the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said at a news briefing on Tuesday, speaking of the armed forces that have served as papal bodyguards since 1506. The Vatican police will take over the protection of the former pontiff. The pope will reside in his summer apartment here with his two secretaries and four memores, the laywomen of the community Memores Domini who care for him, said Saverio Petrillo, the director of the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo. The intimate setting “allows for a more familial life,” he said. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Benedict will have access to landscaped gardens built over the ruins of the sprawling villa used as a summer residence by the Emperor Domitian, who ruled in the first century.

“Castel Gandolfo is one place where the pope can find privacy,” Mr. Turoli said. “And it’s our job to ensure that he has a restful stay here.” Anna Maria Vici Torrigiani, whose shop here makes cassocks and church decorations, presented the pope last year with an icon of the Virgin Mary against a background that depicts Lake Albano and Castel Gandolfo. “I am hoping that he will take the icon with him when he goes into the convent in the Vatican,” she said. “Given he won’t be able to see the world anymore, I hope he will bring a bit of Castel Gandolfo with him.” A version of this article appears in print on February 27, 2013, on Page A8 of the New York edition with the headline: Hilltop Town, a Host to Popes for Centuries, Prepares for an Eminent Retiree.

Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe From Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo, The Pope's Digs - ABC News ABC News From Vatican City to Castel Gandolfo, The Pope's Digs February 27, 2013 By TIFFANY HAGLER-GEARD via WORLD NEWS Pope Benedict XVI's eight year residency at the Vatican comes to a close this week, and with his historic retirement, the pontiff will leave his residence at the Vatican. In retirement, he will still reside on Vatican grounds, but in a former nunnery that is to be renovated. During the Conclave to find the next pope, Benedict will reside at the Apostolic Palace on Lake Albano, southwest of Rome. Benedict XVI will stay at the Vatican's summer residence from Feb. 28 until the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) will be ready. Here is a look at the Vatican, Castel Gandolfo, and the Apostolic Palace. Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.

(L'Osservatore Romano/AP) Seen here is an aerial view of St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican during sunset in 2011. (AFP/Getty Images) Pope Benedict XVI leads the mass for Ash Wednesday, opening Lent, the 40 day period of abstinence and deprivation for the Christians before Holy Week and Easter, Feb. 13, 2013 at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images) A view of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel on Jan. 11, 2009 in Vatican City. The Sistine Chapel is named after his commissioner, Sixtus IV della Rovere (1471-1484), who decided to have a large room built where the Cappella Magna once stood. The Cappella Magna was a medieval fortified hall that the Papal Court used for assemblies. At that time, it was made up of about 200 members: a college of 20 cardinals, representatives of religious orders and important families, a choir, and a large number of laymen and servants.

(Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Swiss Guards arrive at the Cortile di San Damaso of the Apostolic Palace at the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 17, 2012 in Vatican City. Pope Sixtus V (1585- 1590) built the Apostolic Palace where the present pope lives and where every Sunday at noon he stands at the window, and blesses the crowd that gathers in the magnificent St. Peter's Square. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) A bishop walks below Throne's Hall paintings during the courtesy visits to the newly appointed cardinals at the Apostolic Palace, Nov. 24, 2012 in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) A view of the Seconda Loggia of the Apostolic Palace on Oct. 25, 2012 in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Swiss Guards stand on attention in the Clementina Hall at the Apostolic Palace, Oct. 29 2012 in Vatican City, Vatican. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) A view of the Seconda Loggia of the Apostolic Palace on Oct.

25, 2012 in Vatican City. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) A Swiss Guard stands at the Throne's Hall during the courtesy visits to the newly appointed cardinals at the Apostolic Palace on Nov. 24, 2012. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Pope Benedict XVI delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" message and blessing from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of the Easter Mass on April 8, 2012. (L'Osservatore Romano Vatican Pool via Getty Images) CASTEL GANDOLFO A view of of the Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo on the Albano lake, that will be Pope Benedict XVI's residence during the next Conclave, Feb. 20, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, is the summer residence of popes. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) The balcony of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo where Benedict XVI made his last public appearance as pope.

The Apostolic Palace and The Ponifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) A view of a room inside the Apostolic Palace in the village of Castel Gandolfo. Pope Benedict XVI will stay at the Vatican's summer residence from Feb. 28 until the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church) will be ready for him to live there. Pope Benedict XVI began a week-long spiritual retreat out of the public eye on Feb. 18 ahead of his resignation on Feb. 28 2013 with the field of candidates to succeed him still wide open. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images) A cross stands in the Roman catacombs in the gardens of the Pontifical residence of Castel Gandolfo. The Apostolic Palace and The Ponifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south Rome, are the summer residence of popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next conclave.

(Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) The gardens of the pontifical residence of Castel Gandolfo. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images Details in the Chinese Room room of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. The Apostolic Palace and The Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo, 10 miles south of Rome, are the summer residence of popes and will host Pope Benedict XVI during the next Conclave. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) Castel Gandolfo, Town in Rome and Latium, Italy Towns in Rome and Latium Castel Gandolfo The beautiful setting of Castel Gandolfo has made it a popular retreat for centuries. The town has a population of about 8800 residing in the pretty streets of this magical hill town. It is best known as the summer residence of the popes, where the pontifical palace and its gardens are set. The 55 hectares (135 acres) estate is within the confines of the city yet has extraterritorial status as property of the Holy See. The Vatican Observatory is also located here. The town of Castel Gandolfo has ancient origins, dating back to pre-Roman times.

There are remains of expansive Roman villas built by the emperors as summer retreats; with its convenient location about 15 miles south of Rome along the Appian Way, it was a favored getaway from the heat of summer in the city. The storied hills have a mild pleasant climate, and with the surrounding hills it is a truly beautiful spot. Castel Gandolfo boasts a large number of villas built by prosperous Roman families through the centuries, including Villa Barberini (part of the papal complex), Villa Torlonia and Villa Chigi, among many others. The church of St. Thomas of Villanova was built by Bernini, and the shores of Lake Albano are dotted with impressive residences and villas, as well. The Pontifical Palace is a large swath of land that includes the Villa Barberini and its gorgeous gardens, Villa Cybo, a cloistered convent, and Villa del Moro, surrounded by grounds and farms, used exclusively by the popes. The town has a pretty atmosphere with pastel-painted buildings adorned with shutters and flower boxes. There is a plethora of shops, restaurants and cafes, and a lively outdoor market.

The setting is splendid, and the grapevines that outlines some of the fields produce fine, light wines from heritage varieties. Nearby is the nature reserve of the Castelli Romani, an area of natural splendor close to the city. Discover attractions in Castel Gandolfo Castel Gandolfo, Lazio tourist guide (the Pope's summer residence) Terracina temple Castel Gandolfo, Lazio A pretty hill-town perched high above Lake Albano (Lago di Albano), Castel Gandolfo is just a few miles south of Rome, and is the summer residence of the Pope Castel Gandolfo is one of the Castelli Romani , historic towns dotted around the wooded Alban Hills and dominated by grand villas. The summer residence of the Pope, Castel Gandolfo is little more than a pretty village clustered around the Papal Palace and the extensive gardens enjoyed by popes for centuries. It was a particular favourite of John Paul II, and one of the first acts of his successor, Benedict XVI was to thank the people of Castel Gandolfo and assure them that he, too, would be spending his summers in their "beautiful little town" above Lake Albano.

Much of Castel Gandolfo is discreetly dedicated to the various Pontifical villas and religious foundations. The Papal Palace - with astronomical observatory attached - dominates Piazza della Libertï¿½, but other locations, like the sprawling papal gardens, are tucked away out of sight. The papal tradition of spending summer here dates back to Pope Urban VIII (1623-1644). However, it wasn't the first time that an important Roman had summered on this spot; the pontifical gardens of the seventeenth-century Villa Barberini cover the site of a villa belonging to the Roman Emperor Domitian. The Pope's gardens are truly spectacular, but sadly not open to the general public. With splendid views reaching over the plain to the sea, they contain extensive formal areas, farmland and a large chamber dating back to the time of Domitian. On the attractive main square, Piazza della Libertï¿½, the church of San Tommaso di Villanova, designed by Bernini, sits opposite the palace gateway.

As well as a couple of cafes, there are also a few shops selling local produce and tourist fripperies in the piazza, perhaps with an eye to the faithful who arrive on summer Sundays to see the Pope. Castel Gandolfo is a sleepy little place, but although there's not a great deal for tourists to see, it's a pleasant spot to spend a few relaxing hours. There are some good places to eat, including the panoramic terraces of the Ristorante Bucci (pictured). The area is renowned for its local produce, and several establishments offer you the chance to taste and buy wine, meat and other local specialities. The town is picturesque, offering good photo-opportunities and a chance to appreciate Italian small-town atmosphere. It's hard to believe you are just a few miles from Rome as you admire the peaceful lake views or wander the tiny lanes. There is a tourist information kiosk (limited opening) close to the piazza (under an arch and down a slope) on Via Massimo d'Azeglio. Some decent public toilets are located below the piazza, overlooking Lake Albano. To reach Castel Gandolfo station, descend the zig-zag footpath helpfully called Via della Stazione.

The town has a peach festival, the Sagra delle Pesche, on the third Sunday in July. The patron saint is San Sebastiano, whose saint's day is celebrated in September. Castel Gandolfo transport Castel Gandolfo is 15 miles from Rome and can be reached by bus from Anagnina Metro station, or by train from Rome's Termini station. Trains are infrequent, but the journey is very scenic. The station is halfway up the slope above Lake Albano (be alert as the station is not clearly announced or signed). A steep path zigzags uphill to the town, emerging just below the main square. It's quite a climb. The train and buses connect the town with the rest of the Castelli Romani. The enterprising could try walking to nearby Albano (along the wooded main road above the lake; 25 minutes then a steep drop into Albano) or down to the lakeshore and Marino. However, the roads are designed for cars and not pedestrians, so it's not a particularly enjoyable or safe walk. Castel Gandolfo accommodation In the historic heart of Castel Gandolfo is Hotel Castel Gandolfo - a well-reviewed hotel with lake views.

Things to do in Rome Italy: Tours & Sightseeing | GetYourGuide.com See all tours & things to do in Rome Sign up to get up to 30% off tickets & activities! Sign up Log in The 10 Things You Need to Do In Rome So, the Eternal City is on your bucket list? Prepare to mix and match 2500+ years of history and discover your own version of Rome. You could fall in love with this city without ever seeing a museum -- but here are some of the more noteable sights. Vatican City Vatican City is the world's smallest independent international state, a walled-off enclave within Rome. It's home to 842 people, the Sistine Chapel, and St Peter's Basilica. Vatican Museums Some of the world's most important relics -- the Sistine Chapel, for example -- are located inside the Vatican Museum . A guided tour here is worth every penny. Sistine Chapel Located inside the Apostolic Chapel, within the residence of the Pope, Michelangelo's ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel is a sight to see. Also, spend time studying The Last Judgement on the altar wall.

Roman Forum This is where to go when you want to see Roman ruins. The Roman forum itself was once a marketplace or plaza, and is surrounded by the remnants of ancient government buildings. Colosseum Tour this famous ampitheatre and reflect on the incredible architecture from 72 AD. The Colosseum is more impressive than any football stadium you've ever seen, AND it's 2000 years old. Palatine Hill It's thought that Palatine Hill is where Rome began. Excavations show that people have lived there since 1000 BC, and the ruins are steeped in mythology. St Peter's Basilica This tourist attraction is also the center of the Catholic world. The stunning St Peter's Basilica was built on the site where Peter, the apostle and first pope, was buried. Raphael Rooms Raphael's 16th century frescoes line the walls of the Palace of the Vatican's four public reception rooms, also called Raphael Rooms . Galleria Borghese Known to be one of the best museums in Rome, the Galleria Borghese is a 17th century villa is located in the sprawling Borghese park.

You'll see antiquities, Rennaissance art, and early Baroque pieces. Trevi Fountain Rome's world-famous Trevi Fountain depicts the mythological Neptune, backed by two Tritons. A fun place to grab a gelato, throw a coin in the fountain, and people-watch. Planning Your Rome Visit How long should you stay in Rome? We can promise you won't get bored! You could manage to hit a lot of attractions in 4-5 days, or you could stay for months. Rome is incredibly walkable -- meaning it's easy to get a sense of the city just by exploring the neighborhood where you decide to stay. You'll quite quickly discover hidden-gem Italian restaurants or accidentally stumble upon Roman ruins. How much money do you bring? The big attractions charge you an entrance fee. Colosseum tickets start at 10€ to tour the inside. You can plan on seeing a lot of the ruins and churches from the outside for free, and you will find delicious Italian food for reasonable prices. One very cool free activity: the Casa del Cinema at Villa Borghese. The city of Rome subsidizes the outdoor film screenings here.

Buy some wine and pizza, sit on the grass, and take in a free movie. Where is the good shopping? This completely depends on your budget and style. You'll probably walk down Via Connotti on your way to the Spanish Steps. That's where to go if you're looking for the great designer houses of Italy, like Prada and Gucci. Alternatively, check out the Mercato Monti in the neighborhood near the Colosseum. It's open daily for your fashion and trinket flea market fix. One more thing to know about how old Rome is... Roman tradition suggests the city was founded in 753 BC, and archaeologists suggest that inhabitants were settled there even earlier! Good to Know Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism FacebookEmail Twitter Google+ LinkedIn Pinterest Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism Pope Francis is shunning the expansive papal summer palace in Castel Gandolfo for the third time since 2013, a choice that is causing frustration among locals who rely on the tourists a papal visit brings.

Post to Facebook Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism Pope Francis is shunning the expansive papal summer palace in Castel Gandolfo for the third time since 2013, a choice that is causing frustration among locals who rely on the tourists a papal visit brings. Check out this story on USATODAY.com: CancelSend A link has been sent to your friend's email address. Posted! A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. 9 To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs Pope Francis shuns summer palace again; locals say town losing tourism Rosie Scammell, Religion News Service Published 3:14 p.m. ET July 31, 2015 | Updated 3:18 p.m. ET July 31, 2015 A view of the telescope domes on the roof of the Vatican Astronomical Observatory, "Specola Vaticana", at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, on July 30, 2015.

(Photo: Andreas Solaro, AFP/Getty Images) 47 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 9 COMMENTEMAILMORE CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Francis is shunning the expansive papal summer palace here for the third time since 2013, a choice causing frustration among locals who rely on the tourists a papal visit brings. “Of course it’s affected business,” Stefano Carosi said, reflecting on Pope Francis’ decision to stay away as he tidied the glasses lining his coffee bar in Castel Gandolfo, a lakeside town southeast of Rome. Bar Carosi has stood in Castel Gandolfo’s main square since 1870, in the shadow of the Apostolic Palace, which popes have used as their summer residence for centuries. That all changed with the papacy of Pope Francis, who for his third summer as pontiff has chosen to remain at the Holy See. His decision has been interpreted as part of the pope’s broader wish to create a “poor church” and push through his ambitious reform agenda, rather than while away his time at the summer palace.

But his plans are having a damaging impact on Castel Gandolfo, which has thrived on its ties to the Vatican since the 17th century. “When John Paul II was here, he delivered the Angelus; the eyes of the world were on Castel Gandolfo,” Carosi said. “There were Swiss Guards outside at the open gate.” When John Paul II died in 2005, his successor, Benedict XVI, continued visits to the town and, after resigning in 2013, was flown by helicopter to the Apostolic Palace to stay for a few weeks. Benedict most recently visited Castel Gandolfo earlier this month, although the palace gates remained closed. While the heat of late July often deters tourists from visiting Italian towns, the silence that hangs over Castel Gandolfo is, according to the locals, principally the result of Pope Francis’ absence. (Photo: Alessandra Tarantino, AP) Laura Fortini, working in an empty gelato shop on the town’s main strip, hopes the pope will deliver Mass in Castel Gandolfo on the Aug. 15 national holiday. “Of course he’s busy, he has other priorities,” she said.

“But on Ferragosto (Aug. 15) there’s been a Mass for centuries; he could come for that.” Both Fortini and Carosi are cautiously optimistic that the town’s fortunes could change with the Holy Year of Mercy, due to open on Dec. 8, which was announced by Francis earlier this year. Since last spring, tourists have been able to visit the Villa Barbrini and its gardens, owned by the Vatican, although the palace itself remains private. With its views over Lake Albano, narrow streets and a host of restaurants, Castel Gandolfo also has the potential to draw in the non-Catholic crowd. Elia Cagnoli, working in an empty souvenir shop, said the town is quieter but people still visit: “There are fewer pilgrims, more tourists.” But the reliance on Catholic faithful is evident from Cagnoli’s shop, where a wealth of pope paraphernalia is on sale. The handful of other tourist shops have almost identical wares on sale, while there is also a shop dedicated solely to religious gifts. The general air is one of respect for the papal household, but frustration at Francis’ choice to forget those at Castel Gandolfo.

“You can’t change tradition just like that,” Carosi said. 47 CONNECT TWEET LINKEDIN 9 COMMENTEMAILMORE Read or Share this story: NEVER MISS OUT The Short List Let us bring the headlines to you every night. Stay current and catch up on the biggest stories of the day.

Question: Who has a summer palace at Castel Gandolfo
Answer: The Pope